Albanians, Distinguished Warriors in Times of Peace

Enkel Demi, known by his pen name Tom Kuka, is a distinguished Albanian writer and journalist. He debuted in literature with the historical novel Hide mbi kalldrëm (Jujube on Cobblestone) in 2016, set in 1930s Tirana. His 2018 novel, Gurët e vetmisë (Stones of Loneliness), won the national prize for literature in 2019. Subsequent works include Ora e ligë (Evil Hour, 2019) and Flama (Calamity, 2021), the latter earning the European Union Prize for Literature in 2021. As a journalist and television presenter, Demi adopted the pseudonym Tom Kuka to separate his literary work from his media career. In a 2021 interview, he highlighted the importance of translating Balkan literature to enhance cultural understanding among neighboring countries.